MEPs reject motorbike safety standards

A proposal to introduce minimum European Union standards for roadworthiness tests on motorcycles was rejected by members of the European Parliament’s transport committee today (30 May). Member states had already rejected the idea in December.

The Commission had proposed to extend EU rules on mandatory vehicle-testing to include motorbikes and scooters. The current rules date from 1977 and do not cover two- and three-wheeled vehicles. Eleven member states do not conduct safety tests on these vehicles, and these member states have strongly resisted the move to require them to conduct safety tests.

But MEPs voted to remove motorcycles from the European Commission’s proposed ‘roadworthiness package’, opting instead for a minimal update to existing rules without an expansion of scope or thoroughness. This is the approach preferred by member states, which voted in December to reject the extension of the EU standards to motorbikes.

Technical defects are responsible for 8% of accidents involving motorcycles, compared to 6% for vehicles in general. The Commission had hoped that MEPs would resist the members state position, and a spokesperson said they are “disapponted” in the outcome.

The transport committee also agreed with the member state position that the frequency of testing for cars should not be increased. The Commission had proposed that cars over six years old should be tested every year. Instead the current system of testing every two years should be maintained.

The transport committee’s position will be put to a full plenary vote in July.